Crutch tip construction



April 2, 1946. MCGOWAN v 2,397,499

- CRUTCH TIP- CONSTRUCTI'ON f Filed March 17, 1945 Henri Cf M c'owan Patented Apr. 2, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CRUTCH TIP CONSTRUCTION Henri C. McGowan, Augusta, Ga. Application March 17, 1945, Serial No. 583,308

9 Claims. (Cl. 135-53) This invention relates to a crutch tip construction, and particularly to a crutch tip including shock absorbing means and providing a swivel connection between the crutch and the tip.

Discomfort and pain are suifered byusers of crutches by reason of the jolting and jarring resulting from the impact of the crutch tip on oors, pavements, and other similar hard surfaces. There is also a constant danger of slipping of the crutch tip due to a partial rotation of the crutch as it is moved in use. Even though the crutch tip may be firmly planted on a surface, the partial rotation of the crutch mayturn or twist the tip out of its firm engagement with the surface and cause it to slip or slide, and possibly cause injury to the user. The crutch tip construction of this invention provides shock absorbing means to cushion the impact of the crutch on the ground or other surface, and also provides a connection between the tip and the body of the crutch which permits relative rotation therebetween so that rotation of the crutch is not imparted to the tip. 'I'he invention thusl overcomes the difficulties which have been pointed out, and contributes to the safety and comfort of persons using crutches.

It is an object of this invention to provide a crutch tip construction cushioning impact of the crutch.

It is another object of the invention to provide a crutch tip construction having a swiveledvconnection with the crutch.

It is a further object of the invention to provide shock absorbing means swivelingly connected to a crutch.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a shock absorbing crutch tip which may be adjusted to accommodate diierent loads.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a crutch tip having telescoped elements slidable longitudinally relative to each other and rotatable relatively to each other.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and the appended drawing.

In the drawing: l

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a crutch tip construction embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line II-II of Figure 1, with parts in elevation;

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2, but showing a slightly modied form of thefinvention;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 2; y 1

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectionalview similar to Figure 2, but illustrating an anti-friction member included in the structure;

Figure 6 is a fragmentaryA sectional view similar to Figure 2, but illustrating a somewhat dif.- 'ferent securing structure therein; and

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but illustrating still another securing structure.,

The crutch tip construction of this invention comprises a tube I 0 lhaving Yanl upper portion secured to the lower end II of an upright meme ber of a crutch, as by bolts I2. The tube I0 is ,providedy with a stop member for the crutch portion II. In this instance, the stop member is illustrated as taking the form of a bolt I3 extending through the tube I0. The stop member isvdesirable in cases where the tip construc- A vwill not extend too far into` the tube I0 `to interfere with the operation of the cushioning means.

A tubular member with a closed bottom end, which may be described as the cup I4 is provided in telescoped relation with the tube I0. The cup I4 has an outer diameter such as to t snugly within the tube III and yet have free movement therein. A block I5 of wood, synthetic plastic, metal, or the like having an axial bore therethroughr is disposed in the cup I4. A bolt I6 extends through the bore in the block I5 and a central; aperturejn the bottom of the cup I4. The end of the bolt projecting through the rbottom of the cup I4- is threaded to receive a nut I1, andthe upper end of `thebolt is provided with a head Ilia. i The boltpextends from the ybottom of the cup I4 to apoint somewhat below the crutch portion I I, or the stop member I3.

In order to securethe cup I4 to the tube I0, a sleeve I8y is provided within the tube I0 and spaced a desired distance above the open end of the cup I4 when the cup is in its outermost position relative to thetube. The sleeve I8 is secured in position in anydesired manner, as forexample by means of bolts I9. An apertured disk or washer 20 is seated on the upper end of the sleeve I8, and asimilar washer 2| is provided to seat againstl the lower end of the sleeve. The bolt I6 extends through the washers 20 and 2|, the head Ilia thereof resting on the upper surface of the washer 20.

As shown in Figure 2, a between the washer 2l and the block I5, and

uspring 22 is disposed urges therblock I5 and therefore the cup I4 out- 'wardly of the tube ID. A washer 23 may be disposed on the upper end of the block I5. A conwith that shownyin Figure 2, except for the pro-V vision of a block 25 of rubber or similarly resilient material surroundingv the bolt.A I6,l in place of the spring 22 illustrated inFigure -2. The block i125` is preferably cylindrical, and has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cup IIL. Y

to allow for radial expansion when compressedV axially.

The cup I4 and bolt I6, together withthe block l5 and the spring 22 or the block 251`nay rotate freely within the tube I0, or'in other words theis constant, so that the amount of movement of the tube I0 on'the cup I4 is the same, and the crutch may therefore be made of proper size to t the height of the user. Furthermore, this distance or movement remains the same for the same user even though the adjustment of the spring or resilient block is changed by the user, so that it is not necessary for himto become accustomed to a new degree of movement in case of such change. Adistance of the order of one inch is ample to provide proper cushioning action and does not occasion an excessive movement.

n If desired, the swivel connection between the tube I0 and the cup I4 and bolt I6 may be made freer and-easier by the provision of anti-friction means, suchY as the ball bearing 26 illustrated in Figure 5 as disposed between the washer 2| and I the bottom of the sleeve I8. Obviously, such antitube I0 may rotate freely about the cup I4-and i bolt I6. A'swivel connection between the members is thus provided. By `this construction, therefore, the cushioning tip `24 does not have .its Contact with the-ground brother surface affected by rotation 0f thuple? 'part-f the Crutchwhich occurs in use of the crutclfi.- 'There i'sthus no danger ofthe Cruthitiipfsl'ipping by' reasongof bei/ng twisted or turnedalo'ng? withl the upper part of the crutch 'as thefcruftuliI moves in use. The provi-'sion of the spring-22er resilient block. 25 in cQn'ectir-r thefcup Mi V.pi'o'v-ides.-'az shock absorbing me'ans for the crutch tov cushion'the i pact ofthe crutch 'onthe ground or other sur'- f'a'Q A-'s the crutch is brought. into c0ntact-with the ground vand the' 'weight of` the `body is apppl-ied thereto; thetub'e W rn/ovesd'owntvai'Illyv about the i cup fli4l a'giainst the-yielding resistance nl?-V the spring- 22 or resilient block 25', until the. washer ZP-ms-rltb contact with the upper end Oi the cup-|54. V"Ivl-i' weight ofthe usci of the: crutch. is Y"tlIr-r, trisritted -elire'ctlyftlilough 'the tub el 1I 0 sleeve I8; -and Ill-ofthe -ground,thes'e elemeiit'sbing' then in substantiallyv rigid and .fixed relation. Thus, when the -fullsweightz of the user is "berne by t e rutchfit is substantially unyield.-

iii-gij and proviuesithe neeessary stabuityto can-y theufswer safely'. VThe space between .the bolt ndl'q. and the crutch:portion` iat. or stoplmembei? I3 'satlest `Yequal-t tlezslace between. the washerzl outermost position).

resilient block '252th give-iti a forcee corresponding to the 'weightfdf theiulsr fithecrutch. I The same spring may thus befadaptell'to properly cushion th'eu be th th employed Icy-aheavy i' ht'peif'so'n, rby'p'ovifding-'alonger orsbforter respectively. "It Vwill be Obvious 'tl'iaiii'il desired'thesihgl'e bleck'llmay bereplace'dE by-a pluralitybi' blocks. 'of varying lengths to-rthibknesses `4so that the initial 'pressure of the spring '22 or resilientf block inlay-befadjusted as Ide-` -s'ired` byA .the insertion, f removal; orsubstitution vof oneorV "erel blocks. i

Yim

friction means might be provided in connection with the washer 20 or the washer 23, if desired.

Means. other; than the sleeve I8 may be employed for securing the cup I4 toY the. tube I0. In Figure V6, Vfor example.. this means is illustrated as circumferential' projections or flanges 21- on the interior of the tube lll formed by grooving orc'ollapsing'the. tube radiallyinwardly. The washers 20and ZI seatv against the ilanges 21- in the. same manner asagai-nst the ends of r,the sleeve I8 in the construction eas preuiouslydescribedy 'Only one innerange!! might ofcourse be. provided, and-.fthe washers 1204 and 2l seated against. thev opposite axial bases. t'lhereof.VV Eigure 7, the -securifng means is illustrated, as a par tition. 28. closing the tube I0 except for a central aperture. -toaccomm'odate the bolt I6. In this case,.the washers'20 and2I areunnecessary, the bolt head; Mia.' resting. on. the upper tace. of the partition, 28 and the spring 2-2 or resilient Yblock 2&5' bearing, on the lower 'faces thereof. Thepartition. 28 may bev provided in any of several. ways An lapertureel disk may be Welded orv brazedto may 'be drawn withv the partition. integrally Aformed; thereim'orthey partition may be secured in the`,"'tube t0 between jin-ner Vcircumferential ledges or proj ectionsfsuch -asthefflanges .Z'lshown inFigureI.` '51', Y y Y .From the Yforegoing.v desbription,y it. will. be. evident that the bolt I6 serves both to securethe :elements of. the shock. absorbing or cushioning means together, andgalso. secures. this means. to the telescoping tube Il! inyffiec-ly4 `rricrivgftlole relation Ltherewith. rIhe ',crutchrmay .rotate about the cup' If4 fat the same time that. it movesdown. wardly, and simultaneously the downward move.- vment. is` :cushionedby Vtheresilient. mearns 22 or 25.. When the limit. of relatiuemovement has been reached'asrthefull weightefA thev user -is applied. to the crutch, the. crutchra'cts as a substantially' rig-idf and 'solidgun-it to. Lcarry ther-load v'with utinostV stability.. 'This stabilityis j o-' great importance to the'condcnce andfpeaeeof lmind of the; user. `VVThen eecti-ve resistanee'offthe y.re-

fsilientxnreans-tothe"'corn-pression,v due .tor the weight of theusermay beadiusteddesiired without requiring a substitutionfof.'the-resilient. means, or a disassembly of, the- -entire structure. The telescoping; movement ,of the crutch fis-main taflnedifconstant, and isf relatiwely slightgrso-that the: feiiutch userY need not. eonstantlyanticipate and attempt-to estimate variations'inmovement of the crutch. The invention thus -providesea -crutch whichL frees thewuser of bothjphysicalgand mental. discomfort', eiiiort,4 and"painfandegreatly increases the safety of .the crutch in use. s I

The invention is not limited to crutches, since it may be applied to canes and walking sticks, and may be employed in other structures in which a swivel connection of a resilient cushioning means is desired.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be Varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A crutch tip construction comprising a pair of telescoping tubular members, an abutment member within one of said tubular members, a bolt within said tubular members extending through said abutment'member to connect said tubular members rotatably and longitudinally movable relatively to each other, a block in the other of said tubular members, and resilient means between said block and said abutment member for urging said tubular members away from telescoped relation.

2. A crutch tip construction comprising a pair of telescoping tubular members, an abutment member within one of said tubular members, a bolt within said tubular members extending through said abutment member to connect said tubular members rotatably and longitudinally movable relatively to each other, a block in the other of said tubular members, and resilient means between said block and said abutment member for urging said tubular members away from telescoped relation, said-block normally holding said resilient means in predetermined compressed condition.

3. A tip construction for a crutch comprising a tube having one end adapted for securement to a crutch, a cup member slidable and rotatable in said tube having its open end disposed in the other end of said tube, a spacer in said cup member, an abutment member spanning said tube, a bolt journaled in said abutment member and extending through said spacer and cup, and resilient means compressed between said abutment member and spacer for urging said cup outwardly of said tube to space the open end of said cup from said abutment member.

4. A tip construction for a crutch comprising a tube having one end adapted for securement to a crutch, a cup member slidable and rotatable in said tube having its open end disposed in the other end of said tube, a spacer in said cup member, an abutment member spanning said tube, a bolt journaled in said abutment member and extending through said spacer and cup, and resilient means compressed between said abutment member and spacer for urging said cup outwardly of said tube to space the open cup from said abutment member, said abutment member and bolt limiting inward and outward movement, respectively, of said cup member relative to said tube.

5. A crutchtip construction comprising a tube having one end adapted for attachment to a crutch, a cup member slidable and rotatable in said tube and having its open end extending thereinto, resilient means urging said cup member outwardly of said tube, and means connecting said tube and cup member in swiveled relation.

6. A crutch tip construction comprising a tube for connection to a crutch at one end, a cup member slidable and rotatable in said tube and having its open end extending into the other end of said tube, resilient means urging said cup outwardly of the tube, an abutment in said tube, a block in said cup member holding said resilient means in predetermined compression against said abutment member, and means swiveling said cup member on said abutment member and holding said cup member against withdrawal from said tube.

7. In a crutch, a tip construction comprising a tube secured at one end to said crutch, a cup member having a portion telescoped with said tube and having its closed end spaced from said tube, an abutment member in said tube, a spacer in said cup member, resilient means between said spacer and said abutment member urging said tube and cup member apart and held in predetermined compression by said spacer, a bolt swiveled in said abutment member and having a threaded portion projecting through the bottom offsaid cup member, and a nut onv said projecting bolt portion adjustable to vary the compression of said resilient means.

8. In a crutch, a tip construction comprising a tube secured at one end to said crutch, a cup member having a portion telescoped with said tube and having its closed end spaced from said tube, an abutment member in said tube, a spacer in said cup member, a coil spring between said spacer and said abutment member urging said tube and cup member apart and held in predetermined compressin'by said spacer, a bolt swiveled in said abutment member and having a threaded portion projecting through the bottom of said cup member, and a nut on said pro- J'ecting bolt portion adjustable to vary the compression of said coil spring.

9. In a crutch, a tip construction comprising a tube secured at one end to said crutch, a cup member having a portion telescoped with said tube and having its closed end spaced from said tube, an abutment member in said tube, a spacer in said cup member, a resilient elastic block between said spacer and said abutment member urging said tube and cup member apart and held in predetermined compression by said spacer, a bolt swiveled in said abutment member and having a threaded portion projecting through the bottom of said cup member, and a nut on said projecting bolt portion adjustable to vary the compression of said resilient elastic block.

HENRI C. MCGOWAN. 

